Marmalade bush (Streptosolen jamesonii)
Care, watering, light and tips for Marmalade bush on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Marmalade bush
The Streptosolen jamesonii, also known as Marmalade Bush, is a spectacular flowering evergreen shrub, prized for its clusters of tubular, bright orange flowers that mature to reddish hues. It's ideal for adding a vibrant splash of color to sunny gardens, as a trailing plant in large pots, or for covering walls and fences.
Native range
Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. Water regularly, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during active growth and flowering periods. Avoid frost, as it is not cold-hardy; in cooler climates, grow it in a pot so it can be protected in winter. A common mistake is a lack of pruning, which can result in a leggy plant with fewer blooms.
How to save a dying Marmalade bush
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or dropping leaves, sudden wilting, no flowering.
- First aid
- Check drainage and moisture, prune dry branches, full sun, protect from cold.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot, lack of light, or frost exposure.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it's hardy. Act fast by correcting drainage, watering, and finding sun.